Lurker wrote:OK Btw, I never did thank you for the civil discussion we had about a year ago. Thanks.

You're welcome. Here at my church we enjoy hearing all points of view. We even occasionally bring in speakers from various religious denominations to lecture and answer questions from our small atheist congregation. This is in addition to the scientists, philosophers, and thinkers who have in the past addressed our humble assembly.

"It may be a stretch to predict just yet that Norway's five million citizens are turning back to God en masse." Anybody who knows the history of the christianization of Scandinavia, a process which never even came close to being completed, will understand this for the ridiculous statement it is.

I'd like to take this opportunity to applaud the United States Army for doing the right thing.

It's looking increasing likely that atheism will one day soon take over as the majority religion in the United States. When that day comes and Christians become a minority, hopefully they will finally understand why it's so important to protect minority rights and the true meaning behind the words "congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

Hey Lurker, I know I give you a hard time, but just wanted to say that I do appreciate the things you write. Your posts are high quality and genuinely get me to think. I'll remember this discussion for a long time. Thanks so much.

Even if that were accurate, it's nothing more than a cop out in avoidance of the real issue, faith. That'd be like me saying that until my dog gets a job, I'm going to beat him everyday not for being unemployed, but for the last time he peed on the carpet or whatever. It's a sick thing to do, and while I'm no lawyer I doubt such an argument would carry much weight when I end up getting picked up on animal cruelty charges. However, this is the same God who ordered genocide and human sacrifice as well as condoned slavery and rewarded rape, so I shouldn't be surprised. Ha!

Lurker wrote:Name someone who is sinless in the sight of God with the sole exception of unbelief and you may have an argument.

Thank you for the reminder, Lurker. This is the part where I really get myself into trouble with some of you folks, but...

Here's the bottom line: When you come down to it, unbelief is really the only transgression that can condemn a sinner to Hell.

When you boil down the Gospel message, that's the conclusion you're left with. Name any other transgressions and I'll tell you that if there'd been faith it would've been covered by the blood of Christ.

All other sins are beside the point. Faith is the sine qua non as in Hebrews 11.6: "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."